J Street strongly supports President Biden’s proposal for an immediate 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, already endorsed by key allies. This would allow for negotiations toward a diplomatic settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border, while opening space to restart stalled ceasefire and hostage release negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The President has been clear that this ongoing exchange of fire threatens to escalate into a catastrophic full-scale war with millions of Israeli, Lebanese and Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. An all-out military confrontation – possibly bringing in other regional actors, including the United States – is a nightmare scenario that must be avoided.
Far too many civilians have been killed already. Millions of Israelis are living under the intolerable threat of rocket fire from Hezbollah, which risks overwhelming missile defense systems. Thousands of families have been displaced from their homes along the border. The longer this continues, the more a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal slips from reach.
We urge the entire international community to apply all possible pressure on both parties to immediately de-escalate and pursue a diplomatic path toward restoring calm and allowing thousands of Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes.
While the Israeli government has a duty and a right under international law to protect its citizens, we are deeply concerned by recent comments from Prime Minister Netanyahu, which appear to undercut President Biden’s efforts and reject a diplomatic solution in favor of prolonging the conflict – a repeat of the Prime Minister’s approach to Gaza.
The Biden Administration must use all possible leverage to pull the region back from the brink, before it’s too late.